Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse Review

Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Ingredients

Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse Ingredients

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Full Ingredient List (INCI):

Water, Propylene Glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caramel, Dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Fragrance, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 33 (CI 17200), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Green 5 (CI 61570)
Review

Does Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse Work?

 
According to CreamScan's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse has to offer:
 
✅ Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

  

Key Benefits of Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse:
 

🔵 Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Propylene Glycol (est. ≈9.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

📌 Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

💧 A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse

 
CreamScan identified a few things to consider before adding Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

✅ When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
✅ As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
✅ Lightweight texture
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants
   

Summary: Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse
, when used alone, delivers lightweight, humectant-rich moisturizing, making it ideal for oily skin. As part of a moisturizing routine, it provides a humectant boost, beneficial for all skin types.
 
That said, there are some things about Ulta Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse worth noting.
 
Looking at its moisturizing profile, we found that it doesn’t contain any occlusive ingredients, potentially allowing the moisture attracted to the skin by humectants to evaporate. Therefore, if it’s used as the only moisturizer in a routine, it’s recommended to pair it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones.
 
📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
70
9
6
4
2
1.9
1.8
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Dihydroxyacetone
Function:
Origin:
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Function:
Origin:
Caramel
Function:
Origin:
Dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:
Hexylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice
Function:
Origin:
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
Function:
Origin:
Red 33 (CI 17200)
Function:
Origin:
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Function:
Origin:
Red 40 (CI 16035)
Function:
Origin:
Yellow 6 (CI 15985)
Function:
Origin:
Green 5 (CI 61570)
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
10.3
9
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 10.3 10
10.0
9
1
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
9
1
0.3
All humectants 10.3 10
10
All humectants
10.3
9
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
None
All antioxidants 0 3 No
All antioxidants
0
None
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %70
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %9
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Dihydroxyacetone
Est. %6
Function
Origin
DihydroxyacetoneA self-tanning agent that works by reacting with the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to produce the desired tan pigmentation. This pigment can last for several days and up to several weeks.
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Est. %4
Function
Origin
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesA synthetic ingredient that softens the appearance of skin and combines water with oil.
Caramel
Est. %2
Function
Origin
CaramelA natural ingredient that is derived from the heat treatment of table sugar. Caramel is used in skincare as a natural colorant that can create transparent, dark brown solutions. It also works as a fragrance, where it provides a sweet, sugary scent.
Dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride
Est. %1.9
Function
Origin
Dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Est. %1.8
Function
Origin
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate

A clear, pale yellow, oil-like emollient manufactured synthetically from coconut oil and polyethylene glycol. It is also used as an emulsifying agent.

Phenoxyethanol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.
Hexylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hexylene GlycolA multifunctional ingredient that is best known for its use as a solvent. It can dissolve both water-based ingredients and oils. For this reason, it can also function as an emulsifier, allowing oil and water ingredients to mix and remain stable.
Fragrance
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit JuiceAlso labeled as "raw coconut milk", this ingredient is rich in humectant moisturizing sugars, proteins, emollient emulsified coconut oil, vitamins, and minerals.
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)A bright yellow colorant that is often also listed as FD&C Yellow 5.
Red 33 (CI 17200)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Red 33 (CI 17200)Also known as D&C Red 33 or Acid Red 33, this ingredient is a synthetic azo used to color skincare products. It produces a cool red hue, with undertones of blue that lead to a hint of purple.
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Blue 1 (CI 42090)A synthetic dye commonly known as Brilliant Blue FCF that produces rich blue colors for various cosmetic uses. FD&C Blue #1 can also be found in foods, medications, and dietary supplements, as it is considered non-toxic and safe for use.
Red 40 (CI 16035)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Red 40 (CI 16035)A colorant that also goes by the name of Allura Red AC or FD&C Red 40. This ingredient is an approved colorant for skincare, food, and even tattoo inks. The color produced by Red 40 (CI 16035) is a jewel-tone red with yellow undertones.
Yellow 6 (CI 15985)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Yellow 6 (CI 15985)A petroleum-derived reddish-yellow dye, also known as Sunset Yellow. It is the third most used pigment in food, cosmetics, and drugs.
Green 5 (CI 61570)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Green 5 (CI 61570)